Happy National Intern Day!

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has been fortunate to host many talented interns this summer! Several of them have reflected on their experience, below.

Jacob Holt

University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering Student

Your favorite thing about working for the NHDOT

I am very thankful that the supervisors at the NHDOT want me to get the most out of my experience, giving me the opportunity to get involved with my individual interests. When I mentioned the possibility of shadowing another bureau, a meeting was quickly set up to get that started. If I mentioned that I found a particular project interesting, I was able to learn more about it or work on it.

Cieara Boyer

DoD-SkillBridge Program

Your favorite thing about working for the NHDOT

My favorite thing about working for NHDOT is the opportunities that are given to me as an intern. They are always encouraging, and it is so fun making signs that I see every day on the road! As an active duty service member transitioning back to civilian world, I am happy to be applying some of my skills here!

Hoang Nguyen

University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering Student

A skill you’ve developed or a project you’re proud of

During my internship with NHDOT, I significantly improved my plan reading skills while doing the data mining for existing bridges. One project I’m particularly proud of was contributing to checking the Bridge-mounted sign support design from a consultant plans.

A mentor who made a difference

It’s hard to choose just one mentor since I’ve had the opportunity to work with both Bridge Design and Bridge Maintenance. In Bridge Design, Dzijeme Ntumi Lazares PE has been an incredible mentor. She’s a thoughtful, skilled engineer who taught me a lot about the technical and structural aspects of bridge design. When I’m out in the field with Bridge Maintenance, Andy Hall has been just as influential. I had the chance to help perform an elevation check using surveying techniques before a new deck installation, and his guidance made it a valuable hands-on learning experience. Both mentors have provided me with practical knowledge and support that have been essential to my experience during this internship.

Meisam Khorshidi, EIT

University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering Student

Your favorite thing about working for the NHDOT

My favorite thing about working for NHDOT is the opportunity to contribute to the full lifecycle of pavement engineering. As a Civil Engineer III in the Pavement Management Section, I focus on pavement performance data analysis, while also gaining valuable experience in researching pavement preservation and rehabilitation techniques and reviewing asphalt mix designs for quality compliance. NHDOT’s supportive environment encourages this kind of professional growth, allowing staff to explore different areas of transportation and find where they can best serve the public.

Your top takeaways

1. A Deeper Appreciation for Public Service: This internship has provided a clear view of how our work directly and positively impacts the people of New Hampshire every single day, which is incredibly motivating.

2. An Environment that Encourages Growth: NHDOT provides the opportunity to explore different aspects of transportation engineering, and even non-engineering roles, which helps people find the position where they can best serve the public.

3. The Strong Sense of Community: It truly feels like a family at NHDOT, where everyone works together to do meaningful work for the public. I have valued my time here as an intern and hope to be a part of this family for years to come.

Owen Blood

University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering Student

Your top takeaways

I think the biggest takeaway for me is that the NHDOT is a great place to work and build a career. I have also learned not to be afraid to ask questions, and the importance of good communication.

Where you’re heading next

This fall, I am starting at University of New Hampshire, and I am majoring in civil engineering. My internship this summer at NHDOT has helped me prepare by learning many new skills that can be applied in the classroom.

Delaney McLynch

Tufts University Mechanical Engineering Student

This summer has highlighted engineering fields I had yet to be exposed to – specifically, geological analysis, drilling processes, and pavement material testing. I was unaware of the depth of research and analysis that goes into deciding where a roadway or bridge can lay.

At university, design can feel theoretical, displaced from the environment it must interact with. It feels unattached to the people who build and use it. Through this summer’s field work, I have learned how many people from such varied fields work on large scale projects; every piece of design is more complex, and it has given me an intense appreciation for good communication and the expertise of the industry professionals around me.

Working with geologists, I have learned much about the composition and traits of different stones and minerals. Working in the Geotech labs, I have learned the necessity and complexity of the QC that goes into paving our roads. Working on the SADES retaining wall database, I’ve explored the state and met so many of the people who work to maintain transportation infrastructure. This opportunity to learn from every level of state employees and partners has been incredibly valuable.

George Hoffman III

University of New Hampshire Civil Engineering Student

Your favorite thing about working for the NHDOT

The wide range of community involvement and spectrum of work the NHDOT is involved in across the state. This makes for an exciting fluctuation of work, making working more enjoyable to do because I know it will not be the same old thing every day. That way each day there will be a new challenge to overcome.

Your top takeaways

1. The importance of getting acquainted with many different people and keeping a good working relationship with them. In return that will help you have more support and if there’s a problem that arises that you’re unsure of what to do you will have that support system to fall back on.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it opens the door for dialogue and communication and better comprehension of whatever it maybe you have the question for.

3. Try different areas/bureaus of NHDOT, there might be a specific niche that you didn’t know you had an interest in until you started doing it.

Where you’re heading next

The next place I am heading to is UNH, Durham, to continue my education and pursue my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Miles Lanier

Western New England University Civil Engineering Student

Your favorite thing about working for the NHDOT

The most valuable thing I’ve learned during my internship at NHDOT is the importance of connections and applying everyday skills in meaningful ways. My mentors have been instrumental in helping me develop as an engineer and prepare for future work.

I chose to intern with NHDOT because I wanted to step into the transportation field and see if it was for me. I knew I wanted to work with design teams so being a part of Highway Design and Bridge Design this summer was a great experience.